Not Good Enough/ Less Than

We live in a world where the influences of TV, computers, magazines, etc have a way of making us feel like we are not good enough. Sad thing is that sometimes we even get that message from those around us, but I am here today to remind us all that we are "loved with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3b)

"...It doesn't matter if you are Jew or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters."

 Colossians 3:11 

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his outward appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 

I Samuel 16:7 

Jesse's oldest son Eliab had an impressive outer appearance but God wasn't concerned with appearances. He isn't that shallow. 

"The Lord looks at the heart" 

"God can give a new heart(10:9) touch hearts(10:26) and peer into the deep motivations of the heart (Ps 139:1) God sees what people cannot see- a person's true character." 

NLT Illustrated Bible notes for 1 Samuel 16:7 

We live in a world of sin where we are constantly being judged by our outward appearance, but we don't need to be concerned with that or let it make us feel like we are not good enough or less than. The One who created us and redeemed us loves us SO much. 

"For this is how God loved the world; He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 

"God's love extends beyond the limits of race or nation, even to those who oppose him." Illustrated Bible notes for John 3:16 

He doesn't get hung up on our appearance and I am So very thankful for that. Our true value comes from the fact that God loved us SO very much that He gave His only son so that we might have eternal life and spend it with Him!!! 

There was a little story I heard once that was about a donkey that got stuck in a pit of some sort. I don't remember all the details but it seems that the owner started to throw dirt into the pit. Those around him thought he was burying the donkey but as they continued to watch they realized that as the donkey moved around he was packing the dirt down and lifting himself higher and higher out of the pit. And soon he was freed. 

In live we will have those around us that toss dirt on us - and it isn't always to help us - but we can still choose to pack it down and rise above. That is one reason I am writing this post today. 

Shake it off 

Pack it down 

and rise a little higher 
*********************************************
You probably noticed me mention the NLT Illustrated Bible. 
This is my new Bible. I love it!! It is great and pretty reasonable price. I got it from Amazon for a little less than $40. Well worth the money. It is a large Bible measuring about 2 1/4 inch or so thick. Not surprising since it has lots of notes and pictures!